Nicki Minaj Responds To Criticism For Releasing Pop Music

Nicki Minaj has had enough of being blasted for her slow transformation from rapper to pop artist. Young Money’s first lady is prepping the release of her sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, and spoke out against her critics. In an interview with Hot 97’s Funkmaster Flex, Minaj explained that despite what some people may think, the public can rest assured that she’s knows the right moves to make when it comes to her career.

“I would hope that people know at this point that I’m smart enough to know what I’m doing all the time.” Nicki told Flex. “But I guess they still kind of waiver.”

In regards to her “Starships” single, which she debuted on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show earlier this month, Minaj acknowledge that the single is noticeably Pop-heavy, but maintained that it does not represent the entire feel of the album. “I always intended on putting out something urban after ‘Starships,’ because I knew ‘Starships’ was a monster.” Among those none too happy with the softer side of her music is Hot 97 radio personality, Peter Rosenberg, who called her a “sell out” for releasing the record, but Minaj could care less. “I didn’t feel the pressure. To be honest, I feel really, really good. I feel that Hip-Hop cares enough that they have something to say. I remember when I was hoping that someone had something to say about me on the radio, or cared enough.”

To prove her motivations, the 29-year-old went to Flex to premiere her latest single “Roman Reloaded” which will likely pacify the urban radio market. But just as she is known to switch up her look, the Queens MC said that at the end of the day she can do both Hip-Hop and Pop music, if she sees fit. “Maybe it would be a problem if I couldn’t deliver records like ‘Roman Reloaded,’ but I can,” she added. “I write my own lyrics. Once again, I write my own lyrics. So it’s never a problem. Whatever I feel, I can write, I can create it. So I’m good. I think people sometimes get blown away by the magnitude of the Pop stuff, because the Pop stuff, it reaches everywhere and then I feel like my Hip-Hop fans or Hip-Hop culture starts getting a little bit afraid that I’m going to leave. But this is who I am. I’m not going to change – I’m just adding on to my brand. And if you don’t understand that, then it’s probably why you don’t travel and you don’t see the world and I probably can’t even have a conversation with you anymore.”

Over the past year Minaj has become a household name. She’s worked with the likes of Mariah Carey, Britney Spears and most recently, Madonna, who she took the stage with at this year’s Super Bowl. February also found her performing an eyebrow-raising “exorcism” at the Grammy’s, and this weekend she will heat up the stage during the NBA All-Star Game.

Although her new singles haven’t done as well as some of her previous work, the train that is Nicki Minaj is looking to be moving full steam ahead. Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded is due out April 3.